Laredo Lawyer Handling Criminal Record Sealing & Expunction
Laredo Expunction and Record Sealing Lawyer
An arrest or criminal charge can continue to affect your life long after the case is over. Depending on how your case was resolved, Texas law may allow you to seek an expunction or an order of nondisclosure.
Joey Tellez has practiced law for more than 24 years and previously served as a prosecutor in Webb and Zapata Counties. He helps clients in Laredo and throughout South Texas understand their options for clearing or restricting access to eligible criminal records.
Call 956-717-8200 See Whether You May Qualify
“Joey Tellez is one of the best defense attorneys in Texas with years of experience as a prosecutor and decades as a defense attorney.”
— Robert Gutierrez
Possibly. Whether a record qualifies depends on more than whether the case is closed or the charge was dismissed.
The offense, final disposition, waiting period, related charges, criminal history, and applicable Texas law must all be reviewed. A dismissal does not automatically remove an arrest from your record, and completing deferred adjudication does not automatically make the record disappear.
Expunction vs. Order of Nondisclosure
People commonly use the terms expunction, expungement, and record sealing interchangeably. Under Texas law, however, these processes provide different forms of relief.
Expunction
An expunction is a court-ordered process that may remove qualifying records and files associated with an arrest.
Certain acquittals, qualifying dismissals, pardons, mistaken-identity cases, eligible programs, and other circumstances recognized by Texas law may qualify.
Most final convictions do not qualify simply because the sentence, probation, or other requirements were completed.
Order of Nondisclosure
An order of nondisclosure restricts public access to qualifying criminal-history information. The record is not destroyed.
Certain criminal justice agencies, governmental entities, licensing authorities, and other organizations authorized by law may still have access.
Nondisclosure is often associated with deferred adjudication, but not every deferred adjudication qualifies.
Your Record May Qualify If:
- You were acquitted.
- You received a qualifying pardon.
- Your case was dismissed under qualifying circumstances.
- You were arrested but were never formally charged.
- You were arrested because of mistaken identity.
- You completed a qualifying program.
- You completed an eligible deferred adjudication.
- Another Texas statutory provision applies.
A Dismissal Is Not Always Enough
Eligibility may depend on why the case was dismissed, whether an indictment or information was filed, whether a waiting period has passed, and whether other charges arose from the same arrest.
The dismissal order and complete court history should be reviewed before assuming a record qualifies.
Can a Dismissed Case Be Expunged in Texas?
A dismissed case may qualify for expunction, but dismissal alone is not enough. Eligibility may depend on why the prosecutor dismissed the charge, whether an indictment or information was filed, whether the applicable waiting period has passed, whether prosecution remains possible, and whether another charge arose from the same arrest.
Can Deferred Adjudication Be Expunged?
In most situations, completing deferred adjudication does not make an arrest eligible for expunction simply because the charge was later dismissed. Deferred adjudication may instead qualify for an order of nondisclosure, depending on the offense, date of the case, successful completion of supervision, criminal history, waiting period, and other statutory requirements.
Can a DWI Be Sealed or Expunged?
A DWI arrest is not automatically eligible for expunction simply because the case ended. Texas law also provides a nondisclosure process for certain qualifying DWI convictions when all statutory requirements are satisfied.
“From the very beginning, they demonstrated professionalism, clear communication, and a deep understanding of the legal process.”
— Jae
Why Clearing or Sealing a Record Matters
A criminal record can create consequences even when a person was never convicted. It may affect employment, promotions, housing, professional licenses, college programs, volunteer opportunities, security clearances, immigration matters, and personal reputation.
No attorney can guarantee that information will immediately disappear from every private website, search engine, mugshot page, or background database. Government agencies and private reporting companies may process court orders differently and on different timelines.
The Record-Clearing Process
Every case begins with a review of the arrest, court disposition, and criminal history.
Review the Record
Joey reviews the arrest, every charge connected to it, the final disposition, and the available court documents.
Determine Eligibility
The office evaluates whether the case may qualify for expunction, nondisclosure, or neither form of relief.
Prepare the Petition
The appropriate filing is prepared with accurate arrest, case, court, disposition, and agency information.
Handle the Court Process
Joey represents the client through required notices, responses, objections, and any hearing that may be necessary.
Follow Through
If relief is granted, the office assists with the final order and the agency information included in the case.
Why Hire Joey Tellez?
More than 24 years practicing law in Laredo.
Joey Tellez previously served as a prosecutor in Webb and Zapata Counties. His criminal-law experience allows him to evaluate the arrest, charge, court disposition, and legal requirements that may determine whether a person qualifies for expunction or nondisclosure.
- Case-specific eligibility review
- Clear explanation of available options
- Preparation and filing of the appropriate petition
- Representation at a hearing when required
- Communication throughout the process
- Assistance with the final order and agency information
What Clients Say About Tellez Law
Real feedback from people who have worked with Joey and his team.
“I had an outstanding experience working with this law firm. From the very beginning, they demonstrated professionalism, clear communication, and a deep understanding of the legal process. Every step was explained thoroughly, and I always felt informed and confident in the decisions being made.”
— Jae
“Joey Téllez and his team are absolutely amazing. They're professional, honest, and truly care about their clients. Every time I've needed their help, they've gone above and beyond to make sure everything was handled right.”
— Pedro Almanza
Texas Expunction and Record Sealing
Is expungement the same as expunction?
People commonly search for “expungement,” but Texas law generally uses the term “expunction.” Both terms are commonly used to describe the process of seeking removal of qualifying arrest records.
Does a dismissed case automatically disappear?
No. A dismissal does not automatically remove the arrest, charge, or court records. A separate expunction or nondisclosure proceeding may be necessary, and not every dismissal qualifies.
Can a felony arrest be expunged?
Certain felony arrests may qualify depending on how the case was resolved, whether required waiting periods have passed, whether related charges exist, and whether a statutory exclusion applies.
Can employers see a sealed record?
An order of nondisclosure generally restricts public access to qualifying criminal-history information. Certain governmental, criminal justice, licensing, regulatory, and other authorized entities may continue to have access.
How long do I have to wait before filing?
There is no single waiting period for every case. The required period depends on the offense, disposition, type of relief requested, and other statutory requirements.
How long does a Texas expunction take?
The timeframe depends on the court, the number of agencies that must receive notice, whether an objection is filed, whether a hearing is required, and how quickly the final order is processed.
Will an expunction remove online mugshots and private background reports?
A court order applies according to Texas law and the terms of the order. Private websites and background-reporting companies may not update immediately and may require additional documentation or a separate dispute.
What should I bring to a consultation?
Bring any documents you have concerning the arrest and case, including the cause number, charging documents, dismissal paperwork, judgment, deferred adjudication order, discharge order, and information about the arresting agency.
Find Out Whether Your Record May Qualify
A dismissal, acquittal, deferred adjudication, or completed sentence does not automatically determine whether a record can be cleared or sealed. The complete history must be reviewed under the Texas law that applies to your circumstances.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Viewing this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Eligibility and results depend on the specific facts, disposition, criminal history, and applicable law. No result is guaranteed. Attorney Joey Tellez is not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.